Halloween Events in Louisville

Louisville is historically a haunted town, so it comes as no surprise we take Halloween pretty seriously around these parts. There are plenty of scares to be had, trick-or-treats to gather, but most importantly, there are lots of opportunities to get into the Halloween spirit. We’ve got you covered on where to go and what to do to get ready for Halloween all month long.

The Hillcrest neighborhood always goes all out when it comes to decorating for Halloween. A walk, bike or drive down Hillcrest Avenue is a must-do this spooky season.

MONTH-LONG FESTIVITIES

Through October 31: Waverly Hills Haunted House

The Waverly Hills annual haunted house fundraiser, A Time to Fear, is open every Friday and Saturday night, September 25 through October 31. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and close at midnight. If you are in line by midnight, you will be admitted into the haunted house. Haunted house admission tickets are $20, and VIP tickets are $60. A VIP ticket will get you a 30-minute tour of the upper floors where you learn the history of Waverly Hills and experience the paranormal. You also get to skip the line outside because you are led straight into the haunted house at the completion of your tour. For more information, visit: www.therealwaverlyhills.com

Through October 31: “The World’s Largest Halloween Party” at The Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo invites you to dress up for their not-so-scary Halloween party. Families can travel through storybook scenes and trick-or-treat with their favorite characters every weekend in October. The gates open at 5 p.m., and you can enter the Zoo until 8:30 p.m. For more information, click here: www.louisvillezoo.org

Through November 1: Louisville’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular will be held in Iroquois Park through November 1. Five thousand carved pumpkins will line a ¼-mile walking trail, illuminated at night as an “art show” daily from dusk to 11 p.m. during the week (Sunday-Thursday) and till midnight on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $9 for children ages 3 to 12. All proceeds from the event benefit Louisville Metro Parks Foundation. No pets or animals are allowed in the Iroquois Amphitheater or on the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular trail other than service animals. For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here: www.jackolanternlouisville.com

A theme along Hillcrest Ave. this season is skeletons. Lots and lots of skeletons.

PRE-HALLOWEEN FUN:

October 16: Highlands Halloween Parade

What better way to celebrate Halloween, besides all the candy, than with a parade? The Highlands Louisville Halloween Parade, formerly Caufield’s Halloween Parade, will take place October 16 at 7 p.m. on Baxter Avenue. The free parade starts at the intersection on Baxter and Broadway then moves south to Grinstead Drive. For more information, visit www.facebook.com

October 23: Dreams With Wings Annual Jack O’Lantern Stroll

Dreams With Wings is hosting their annual Jack O’ Lantern Stroll Friday, October 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. In addition to the over 1,500 beautifully carved pumpkins lighting the night, the Stroll offers trick-or-treating in the safety of Slugger Field, games, crafts, Louisville’s largest pumpkin pie by Heitzman’s Traditional Bakery, members of the Louisville League of Mascots, University of Louisville athletes, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, live music and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.dreamswithwings.org

October 24: Halloween in Brown Park

Halloween in Brown Park, a free, family-friendly even, will be held October 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. With well over 50 area businesses setting up trick-or-treating stations throughout Brown Park, bounce houses, hay rides, a petting zoo and games, this event is always a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. Trick-or-treating starts at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. Parking for the event will be at 4007 Kresge Way, a part of the Baptist Health Louisville Campus directly across from the hospital. For more information, click here: www.facebook.com

October 25: Pumpkin Carving Contest at Garage Bar

Garage Bar is hosting two pumpkin carving contests during Sunday brunch on October 25 — one for ages under 13 and one for ages 13 and older. Two $50 gift cards to Caufield’s Novelty are up for grabs just in time for you to find your perfect Halloween costume for Saturday night’s festivities. Cost is $4 per pumpkin (free for Big Brothers Big Sisters) and all carving utensils will be provided. For more information, click here: www.facebook.com

October 25: Chunkin’ Pumpkins at Cancer

Captains Quarters is hosting its Chunkin’ Pumpkins at Cancer to raise money benefitting Twisted Pink and the National Foundation for Transplants. A $10 donation will earn you one chuck of a pumpkin. If you hit the target located in the river, you will win a Captain’s Quarter’s Gift Card. Live music, bouncy house, a balloon artist and trick or treating on the docks along with a Halloween boat decorating contest will all be part of the fun. For more information, click here: www.facebook.com

Happy Halloween from StyleBlueprint. We hope you all get in a good scare this Halloween.

ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, OCTOBER 31:

Halloween Absinthe Party at Garage Bar

Garage Bar is throwing a bash dedicated to everyone’s favorite bohemian libation. It’s going to be a night dedicated to the Green Fairy, chock-full of absinthe from Copper and Kings and live music from DJ See Tai and Black Matter. There will be a variety of ways to enjoy the libation, from a traditional absinthe bar, to Absinthe Frappes and Garage Bar’s Corpse Reviver punch. There will be two costume contests, one for best overall costume of the night and another for best Green Fairy costume, so come dressed in your best Halloween attire. For more information, click here: www.facebook.com

8UP All Hallow’s Eve Masquerade Under the Moonlight

8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen is hosting its All Hallows’ Eve Masquerade Under the Moonlight on Saturday, October 31 at 8 p.m. There will be a cover charge of $20 that will include and open bar with select spirits, wine, beer, appetizers from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., music by DJ Alex Bell and a Mad Masquerade costume contest with $1,000 in cash prizes beginning at 11 p.m. For more information, call (502) 631-4180 or visit www.8uplouisville.com.

Boo Dell at Yew Dell

The seasonal favorite Boo Dell at Yew Dell is on October 31 at the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.Kids of all ages can enjoy trick-or-treating along the Trail-o-Treats from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dozens of local businesses will entertain with their creatively creepy booths and costumes. Hayrides, a straw-maze, scavenger hunts round out a day of fun for all. The popular Mr. Magic will perform from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 per carload or a $1 suggested donation per person when you walk-in.
For more information, click here: www.yewdellgardens.org